Slain Ogden Infant Laid To Rest

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) -- Family, friends and members of the community came out Thursday to pay their respects to a six-month-old baby following his tragic death.

Funeral services were held for Dominick Lubrano Thursday morning at First United Methodist Church on Poyntz Avenue in Manhattan.

The infant passed away at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City on Monday, March 18, 2013, several days after receiving fatal injuries at his home in Ogden.

Riley County police officers and emergency personnel responded Friday, March 15, 2013 at 5:20 PM to an apartment on Seventh Street in Ogden for a report of a six-month-old infant not breathing. The baby was taken to Mercy Regional Health Center in Manhattan and then airlifted to Children's Mercy Hospital for treatment where he passed away three days later with his family members by his side.

Sabrina Lubrano, Dominick's mother, says her son died of Shaken Baby Syndrome at the hands of her live-in boyfriend, 19-year-old Michael Dechant. That night, she ran to the store for just a few minutes. Dechant was watching her two sons at their apartment. She returned to a horrifying scene. Neighbors reported that the baby had turned blue around the mouth and was limp and having trouble breathing.

Dechant is now behind bars charged with murder and child abuse.

But there was no mention of Dechant during the baby's funeral. Instead, those gathered focused on celebrating the infant's short life during a touching church service.

Reverend Diana Chapel called Dominick a "much loved infant" and a "little miracle." She said due to his "too soon death, he just wasn't here long enough" but now, he is "free from pain" and with God. Reverend Chapel talked about the difficulty of losing a child but said Dominick was able to "give and receive so much love" during his brief time on earth and that his family should not get angry with God but lean on Him for comfort and support.

Dominick's aunt, Haylee Lubrano, read a poem called "The Day God Took You Home" during the service and his paternal grandmother, Gina Brisby," read the popular children's book "How Do I Love You."

His maternal grandmother, Angela Adams, shared a few words about how much she loved her grandson and how she will continue to take care of those who adored the child as the family continues to cope with their loss.

Dominick was laid to rest at the Ogden Cemetery.

Dionna Lankard, a family friend, attended Dominick's funeral and called his death "awful and heartbreaking."

"It’s very sad because some people were very close to him. I was not but he was a precious little baby. I watched him one time and he was a very happy baby. It’s an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to the whole family," she told WIBW.

A memorial fund has been set up through Kansas State Bank for Dominick. Donations can be made at any branch location to the Dominick James Lubrano Memorial Fund.

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